15 Hidden Android Features You Should Know

15 Hidden Android Features You Should Know

While Android has matured by leaps and bounds, it is still going through the refinement phase. Over time, Google has added and removed many popular features on Android.

Sometimes features are removed entirely. However, in many cases, they make it to the Settings page or are buried in different hidden places within Android. That is why we have created this article where we discover 15 hidden Android features that are quite interesting and useful.

So let's go ahead and explore some unique Android features that are available on our mobile devices.

Android hidden features

Here, we are going to mention various hidden Android features ranging from privacy, security, ease of use and more. In addition, we have also added some hidden Android features that were recently released but might have gone unnoticed.

Now with that said, here are the hidden Android features that you should know about and use often.

1. Block spam calls

The one feature I turn on every time I set up a new Android device is: filter spam calls. It saves me from unwanted calls from telemarketers, scammers and spammers.

If you're using a stock Android device, you must have the Phone app installed as your default dialer. To enable spam call blocking, open the Phone app and tap the three-dot menu in the top right corner and open Settings. After that, open “Caller ID & Spam” and enable both buttons. Now whenever you receive a call from spammers, the screen will not light up or make any sound.

This menu is not present on all phones, it also depends on each manufacturer and its Android user layer.

1. Block spam calls hidden android features

2. Automatic verification code verification

Many of us have allowed SMS permission to multiple apps for verification without any hassle. However, this can lead to serious violation as apps can read all your text messages and also create credit profile without your consent.

To end this behavior, Google has brought a new API called SMS Retriever. Allow apps to capture a one-time code without asking for permission via SMS. In case the application developer has not implemented this API, Google will act as a bridge and provide the verification code.

That's interesting, right? So, to enable this feature, navigate to Settings -> Google -> Verification Code AutoFill and enable the toggle. Make sure you have also enabled Google's AutoComplete service.

2. Automatic verification code verification

3. Force dark mode on all apps

While dark mode is slowly becoming the norm, there are still apps like it that have yet to adopt dark mode. If you want to force dark mode on a variety of apps, then there is a hidden Android setting that allows you to do so.

However, you need to be on the latest version of Android 10. To enable dark mode for all apps, go to Settings -> About phone and tap on the Build Number seven times in a row. A notification will appear asking “Developer Options has been enabled”. Now go back and search for “Override force-dark” “force dark mode” on the settings page. Tap on the first result and then activate it. Just to be sure, reboot your device and check if dark mode works on all apps.

3. Force dark mode on all apps

4. Concentration mode

Google has brought a new feature called Focus Mode to Digital Wellbeing with the release of Android 10. While Digital Wellbeing is great for limiting screen time for various apps, Focus Mode lets you block certain apps completely so you can focus in what you're doing.

To set up Focus Mode, please follow Settings -> Digital Wellbeing -> Focus Mode. Here, you can select apps that distract you and you can enable Focus Mode right from the Quick Settings panel.

4. Focus Mode Hidden Android Features

5. Share WiFi with QR code

I know the feeling when someone asks you to share your WiFi password and you can't seem to remember it. If you use a strong password with multiple symbols and characters then it becomes even more tedious to write it.

In such cases, a QR code can help you seamlessly connect to WiFi networks. Fortunately, Android 10 has this not-so-hidden feature on the WiFi Settings page. Open it and you will find the QR code scanner in addition to the “Add Network” section. Now scan the QR code and you will be connected immediately.

5. Share WiFi with QR code

6. Randomize MAC address

The MAC address is a unique identifier assigned to WiFi-enabled devices, including smartphones. Most devices come with a static MAC that can be exploited and used to track user movement.

Entonces having a random MAC address reduces the possibility of tracking and strengthens your privacy. If you're running Android 10, you can randomize the MAC address from the WiFi Settings page. Tap on the WiFi you are connected to and open “Privacy”. Here, make sure “Use Random MAC” is your default choice.

6. Randomize MAC address

7. Force resizing apps in split mode

Android has some unique features like split mode which makes it quite different from iOS. It allows you to run two apps at once so you can effortlessly multitask between them. However, not all apps support split mode and that is where this hidden Android feature comes in.

With this feature, you can force any app to resize in split mode, regardless of application support. So, to enable this feature, open Settings and search for “resize”. Open the first result and enable "Force activities to be resizable". Now restart your device and you can enjoy any app in Split mode.

7. Force resizing apps in split mode

8. Default USB Settings

If you are someone who regularly connects Android devices to PC, this hidden feature will help you a lot. Android 10 now lets you choose your default USB settings. If you transfer files regularly, simply choose the desired settings and you're good to go.

To configure USB, open Settings and look for “Default USB” and touch the first result. Here, choose “File Transfer” or any other settings as per your preferences.

8. Default USB Settings (2) Android Hidden Features

9. Private DNS

While Private DNS was released with Android Pie, it is still one of Android's least used features. It allows you to encrypt your DNS query so no one can read it., not even your internet service provider.

You can find the private DNS feature on the “Network and Internet” settings page. Here, open “Private DNS” and choose Automatic for Google DNS or you can also select some other DNS providers. I would recommend you to go with Cloudflare DNS.

9. Private DNS

10. Device Theme

Device theming finally made its way to Android, but it's still hidden under developer options. You can change the accent color, font, and icon shape of a handful of options

To find the desired settings page, open Settings and search for “theme”. Tap on the top result and customize your Android device however you like.

10. Device Theme

11. Show touches during screen recording

With the release of Android Oreo, Google removed the ability to display taps while recording the screen for security reasons. However, the setting is still available and hidden in the developer options.

Solo open the Settings page and search for “touches”. Open the first result and enable the toggle. Now, you can record your screen with taps and that is really convenient.

11. Show Touches While Screen Recording Hidden Android Features

12. Capitalize quickly

If you want to capitalize words quickly then Gboard has this nifty feature which is very handy and I just love it. Alone select the words and tap the “Shift” button twice to capitalize one chunk of words at a time.

You can also make it lowercase in a similar way by double-tapping the Shift button. And if you just want to keep the initials capitalized, tap the Shift button once. That's great, right? So go ahead and type seamlessly with Gboard.

13. Uninstall multiple apps

One of the best hidden features of Android is that you can uninstall multiple apps at once. It works on older versions of Android too, so that's great. All you have to do is open the Google Play Store and tap on the menu and select “My apps and games”.

Here, switch to the “Installed” section and then tap on “Storage”. After that, just select the apps you want to uninstall and hit the “Unlock” button. Voila, several apps were uninstalled with just one touch.

13. Uninstall multiple apps

14. Clear Site Storage With Chrome

Chrome is notorious for accumulating a lot of data in the background, which worsens performance and also takes up crucial storage space. If you want to check which websites are eating up your memory space, a hidden Chrome setting can help you with that.

Open Chrome on your Android device and go to its Settings page. Now, go to Site Settings and open Storage. Here you will find all websites with their storage space. Open any website and tap on the “Delete” icon to finally free your internal storage from unnecessary cached data.

15.Street View Layer in Google Maps

Street View is an immersive way to explore places and find new landmarks, hotels, and restaurants from anywhere in the world. Now the Street View layer has been added to Google Maps and it works quite well.

To check if Street View is available in your region, open Google Maps and tap the "layer" icon in the top right corner. Now, tap on the “Street View” icon and then zoom out to find blue lines on the map.

Finally, tap on the blue lines and Street View will appear for that place. So go ahead and check out Street View to find some hidden gems around the world.

15. Street View Layer in Google Maps hides Android features

Discover the hidden features of Android

So those were our picks for 15 hidden Android features that are really cool and can improve your overall mobile phone experience.

We have included many types of features ranging from privacy to little utilities that can be really convenient. Also, we will add more as we discover new features along the way. If you liked this article, please let me know in the comments section below.


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